County officials defend jobs

TAMPA - Three county officials under pressure to resign from the Hillsborough County Commissioners fired back Wednesday afternoon.

Some commissioners have said they want County Administrator Pat Bean, County Attorney Renee Lee and Auditor Jim Barnes to resign.

"I will not resign today, I will not resign tomorrow, I will not resign next week," said Jim Barnes. "I have served you well."

At the heart of the controversy are allegations that someone in the county attorney's office searched for and illegally accessed e-mails in the county auditor's office.

Commissioner Mark Sharpe called resignations.

"I would wish the two of you would resign. If not, I support termination," Sharpe said.

County Attorney Renee Lee defended her office, saying her staff represents "the greatest level of expertise in public records law anywhere in Florida," and blasted auditor Jim Barnes.

"He is not our expert in public records law," Lee said.

Lee had an attorney representing her at the meeting, who said she was "disturbed" at how Lee had been treated.

The commission decided to hire an outside attorney with experience in employment law to weigh whether to fire the officials.

FOX 13's Tanya Arja will have more on this story at 6.